China: No end in sight - Torture and forced confessions in China

11 November 2015, Index number: ASA 17/2730/2015

Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (other ill-treatment) have long been prevalent in all situations where authorities deprive individuals of their liberty in China. The Chinese government itself has acknowledged the extent of the problem and has increased attempts to address it. Over the past five years, the government has introduced a number of measures to curb the use of torture in the criminal justice system, including regulations, law amendments, judicial opinions and procedural rules, which it claims have been successful in curbing torture. This report examines what real impact these efforts have had in stopping the use of torture so far, in particular the use of torture and other ill-treatment to extract forced “confessions”.